Refrigerator



M y 1950 w..| MORRISON 2,507,378

REFRIGERATOR Filed July 27, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 2 1a 72 73 3 i 3 [RY/6727507" y 1950 w. MORRISON 2,507,378

REFRIGERATOR Filed July 27, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 VIIIIIIIIIIJ @BJJM SLMZ M y 1950 w. L. MORRISON 2,507,378

REFRIGERATOR Filed July 27, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 a I7Z7/67207" 77 nz'ZZcuroZL. Morr zQSom Patented 'May 9, 1950 UNI TED STAT ES PATENT OFFICE REFRIGERATOR Willard L. Morrison, Lake Forest, 111.

Application July 27, 1945,, Serial No. 6075289 '8 Claims. 1

My invention relates to an improvement in refrigerators and .is particularly adaptable to. but not .limited to domestic electrical refrigerators.

One purpose .is to proi ide a two temperature domestic refrigerator.

.Another purpose is to provide a reirigerator in which a lower storage portion is .iormed or surrounded by a cireumierentiedly extending evapo rator, while .the upper portion is located above said evaporator.

Another purpose is to provide improved means for controlling and varying the heat exchange between the evaporator of the refrigerator and the storage space surrounded by the evaporator.

Another purpose is to provide an improved for varying the heat exchange between the evaporator and the storagespace in response to fluctuations of temperature in the ,storage space.

Another purpose is to provide improved movable insulating member for the evaporator of a domestic refrigerator.

Other purposes 'willappear irom -ti ie to time .in thecourse of the specification andclaims.

Iillustrate the inventionmore orpless diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figurel is'a vertical section;

Figure 2 is 'a section on the "line "2*2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is 'a section on "an enlarged scale on the line 3-3 ofiEigurel;

Figure '4 "is 'a "section on -.a. still further enlarged 'scale :on the line 4- 4 of "Figure 3;

Figure 5 'is a section 'onthe line 55 of Figure 3;

"Figure 5 is 'a section on the '1ine'l6--5 of Fi ure3;

Figure .Tis'a'view of the parts s'hown'in'Figure *fiiwith'theparts in adiff'erentposition; and

Fi'gllre'S is a ,partial .verticalsection.illustrating a variation.

Like "parts are "indicated Joy like symbols throughout the specification land drawings.

Reierringato the drawings l is anyrsuitable base having Llower downward .gground en aging "s'trips'2. 3"is.a Zdisc.ofjinsulatingrmaterialgsuch as 'fiber, cork orithe'i like, mounted on the .upper surface of .the'base i. .It, may be positioned for example "by a ,generally ,central dowel 3a which extends 7 into appropriate processes in tthe .upper .surfacefiftheibase f l and inthelo-wer surfaceoi the insulating .idisc 3. I4 jgenerally indicates an evaporator having a lbottom wall 5, .l-shown was having a'downwardextension-6 seated in acen- --teri-ng aperturelinlthe upperIiaceoi the insulat- 'ingldisc 3. Surrounding-the-exterior of thein- .sulating disc '3..is.-lan.outer wallfdwhichmay be of. sheet metalxorlany. other suitable flexible material and which, when therrefrigeratoriscomepletedflforms a cylindrical ltensional outer housing member. Extending upwardl from the ir- .cumferential edge of the 818 11015091 bottom wall .5, is an inner cylinder ,9 and an outer cylinder 10. The two cylinders may be of sheet metal and define between them a space H which extends circum'ferentially about the evaporator and which receives a liquid refrigerant for evaporation. The cylinders .9 and I10 are shown as sealed t th r at -their upp r and o r edges as at l2 and 13 respectively. Qn of the cylinders, for example the outer cylinder, may be deformed to provide aseries of circumierentiaglpassages or enlargements which are in communication with or form part of Jthe'space 11 between the two cylinders. '1 illustrate for example a lower enlargement ,IQ, an intermediate enlargement l5, and an upper enlargement 15. Above the enlargement Hi the .walls aresealed together as at 11. Above the sealedareais an additional H enlargement l8 'the interior of .the space defined by which .is separate from the space "H. The

space withinithe enlargement M serves as abottom distributing 'manifoldfll withaninlet member 2|. The space-within the enlargement Iii is an intermediate distributing space or manifold. The space within 'theenlargement l6 serves as a discharge manifold. "In assemblingthedevice the evaporator 4fiS positionedqas-shownin Figure 11 and the outer housing or layer is positioned surrounding the disc '3 :and engaging part of the outer periphery of the-base l. After th e-tu bing whichis below described isin'position,relatively soft insulation j25'isfirmly packedintothe space 'between the .outer'wall [0 of 1the e vaporator and the wa1l'8. The iresultis :a provision of :a firm self supporting ,structure. The upper surface of the insulation -material 25 may be closed and compacted by any suitable ring or1body -26 of somewhat firmer insulating material, such as fiberboard. A layer ofanysuitable'heat insulating material 21-;may=be positionedabove it,=it being important that no heat -conduct-ing material or mernbers extend fibetween the --cy l inders -"8 and Hi. Note also'that'theybod-y orri-ngi-l ex- "tends inwardly above the upper edge of the evaporator. An upper fl-nishing plate 'or'ring 29 may be positioned upon the -bqdy 21, withits downward-1y extendingdn-neri'lange 30 spaced inwardly from and ;out of heat conducting relaj'tionship with the evaporator. "The outer -upwardly extending flange =3 l of the-ring 2 9-receives and centers any -=suita-ble "inner shell 3=2 for the upper part 'of "the refrigerator. An'outer shell 33 is also employed, which is shown -asextending downwardly -about'theupper edge of the outer cylinder" 8 of the lower part :Qf' the refrigerator. Any suitable stifiening'or supportingorbracing orspacing meansdd'may'be employed in the form 'for example ofxmved wooden rip 3 indicates any suitable insulation be wee th shells 32 and 33. The top of the upper refrigerator space may be covered by any suitable roof structure. I illustrate a roof having an outer shell 36, an inner or lower shell 3'1, and an intermediate insulating material 38. The top strip or strips 39 may be employed as shown in Figure 1. Any suitable door structure may be employed as shown in dotted line at 46 in Figure 1.

In the upper part of the refrigerator I illustrate an ice forming device shown in some detail in Figures 3 to '7. I illustrate for example an upper cold plate A and a lower cold plate B. The upper cold plate A is formed of an upper metal plate 65 and a lower metal plate 66. These plates are sealed at their edges as at 67 and are spaced apart and supported by intermediate braces or connectors 68. A central collar 69 defines an open interior passage III. The space between the plates 65 and 66 is adapted to receive any suitable liquid refrigerent which may be circulated there through for evaporation. The .plate B is similarly formed with an upper metal plate 65a, a lower metal plate 65a, a circumferential seal G'Ia, intermedi'ate braces 68a and a central collar 69a.

II is a stop bar extending upwardly from the cold plates A, B. It is adjustably threaded thereon to a nut which may contact the under surface 31 of the top of the refrigerator and thus limit the upward adjustment of the cold plate in assembly. The evaporator structure is carried by these supports and includes a bottom squared portion 13 welded or otherwise secured to the upper plate A. The upper portion of each support 12 is cylindrically formed and screw threaded as at Id and suitably secured to the roof structure of the refrigerator, for example by any suitable nuts 15. Positioned on the freezing assembly is a combined drip pan and insulating device shown as consisting of an inner member 16 and an outer member IT with any suitable insulating material '18 therebetween. The member 16 is shown as having an outwardly extending flange I9. Ila is any suitable handle. It will be understood that the insulating element is cup shaped and, when in its raised position, in which it is shown in Figure 6, substantially surrounds the entire evaporator structure, except for the upward exposure of the top plate. It may be held in raised position by any suitable supporting clips 50, shown as formed of spring stock and provided with detent portions and lower outwardly bent handle or actuating portions 52. The member 50 is secured to a projection 530. from a sleeve 53 which has a square opening and is slidable on the squared portion of the support 12.

The member 53a is normally upwardly urged by the compression spring 54 which is coiled about the squared portion of 12 and abuts at its lower end against the top plate A and its upper end against the member 5311. 55 is an adjusting nut screw threaded on the upper portion M of the support I2, which is effective adjustably to limit the position of the member 53a and the sleeve 53. Assuming that the parts are in the position in which they are shown in Figure 6, the level at which the insulating structure, which I will generally indicate as D is held, is determined by the adjustment of the nuts 55. The insulating structure D is supported by gravity by the engagement of the flange 19 with the detent portions 5i. iii the user wishes to have access to the interior of the evaporator structure, for example to get access to the below described ice tray, the operator can pull down on the handle Fla. The insulating structure can then be temporarily locked in downward position by the em-- ployment of the locking links 56 which are pivoted as at 51 to the top of the refrigerator and which upper portions of the members 58.

will release the locking links 56.

springs 54 to the position shown in Figure 6. When it is desired to remove the insulating mem ber D, as when it is desired to pour off the water which accumulates as a result of defrosting, the parts are first positioned as shown in Figure '7, and the user can then spread the members 50 and remove and drain the member D.

Within the space between the upper cold plate A and lower plate B, I may insert any suitable ice tray. I illustrate for example a tray including a bottom disc I30 and a circumferential side wall I3I. I32 is any suitable removable grid adapted to separate the water, when frozen, into ice cubes. I 33 is a handle lug to which is pivoted as at I 34 a bell crank lever having a handle component I35 with its handle bar I36 and a lifting component I31, the lower end of which engages the upper face of the lower plate B. It will be understood that a pull on the handle bar I35, causing the lever component I31 to move in a counterclockwise direction, will raise the bottom I33 of the ice tray and break the seal or frozen bond between it and the top of the lower evaporator cold plate B, permitting the ice tray to be readily removed. As will appear in Figure 3 only three of the vertical supports II and I2 are employed, these being spaced 90 apart. Thus 180 of the space between the plates A and B is open, for the insertion and removal of the ice tray structure.

The lateral extension of the base I, as at Ia serves as a machinery platform. The machine space is surrounded by any suitable louvered side wall structure which includes vertical supports Ill. 83 is a top wall or closure through which extends any suitable knob 84. Within the machinery compartment so formed I may position any suitable refrigerating mechanism. I illustrate for example a supporting bracket structure 85 which supports any suitable motor 86, and any suitable compressor 81. 88 indicates any suitable condenser which may be employed. 89 is any suitable control valve knob which is accessible through an aperture 83a in the wall 83. It is not normally employed by the user. 90 is a delivery duct along which condensed liquid refrigerant may flow from the receiver 9|. It is shown as extending to the space or annular chamber within the enlargement I8. The spacer I8a, in the chamber causes the refrigerant to make a substantially complete circuit about the upper portion of the refrigerator before it passes along the duct 92 to any suitable expansion valve 93 the details of which do not form part of the present invention. The refrigerant, at appropriately reduced pressure, flows along the duct 94 to the interior of the bottom evaporator plate structure B. It passes thence by the duct 95 to the interior of the top evaporator plate structure A. It passes thence along the duct 96 to the distributor space 20 within the bottom enlargement I4 of the cylindrical evaporator. It will be understood that the, interior or the evaporator is. so formed and proportioned that-the unevaporated: liquid refrigerant evaporates substantially uniformly throughout the spacebetween-the cylinders s and a3 entirely evaporated, escapesfrom-the upper distributor space 22 along the return duct we to the compressor 81. From the compressor it passes by the duct El i to thecondenser 88 and thence by theduct- M2- to the receiver 9i. Any suitable control means may be employed, the details of which do not form part of the present invention. I illustrate for exampleacontrol bulb 93a for the expansion valve 93, connected thereto by any suitable duct 93b. The knob 84 may be employed, through any suitable actuatingsystem, to control the temperature of the refrigerating system, the details of such control means not forming part of the present invention. Appropriate means may be employed whereby the operation of-the system may be interrupted-by a predetermined rotation or-movement of the knob. 34 for defrosting. It willbe understood that, when this defrosting takes place the effect on thecold and well insulated lower evaporator twill bevery slight and will be insuificient toraisethe contents of the lower chamber within the evaporator indicated at C todangerously near the freezing temperature. I may employ any suitable time limit means whereby, after a predetermined and relatively short period, the system returns to normal after the knob 84 has been set to thecutoff or defrosting position.

With reference to the use of the insulating sleeve or cup D, it is effective to prevent exterior frosting. In use, theexterior of the cup doesnot frost and that portionof the evaporator which is positioned below the plane of the lip'of the cup frosts very little, if any at all. It is also elfective as means for controlling the heat exchange rate between the evaporator structure in the upper compartment and the storage space of the upper compartment. It is normally set with its upper edge, at the general level ofthe flange '19, substan ially even with the upper plate A. For example, it may be set somewhat below the top or the plate and the air which is chilled by-the upper surface of the plate A may flow over the edge of the flange 19, and thus reach the storage space. If more cold is desired the nuts 55 are adjusted-to lower the level of the upper edge of the insulating member D. If less cooling efiect is desired the edge is raised, by raising the adjusting nuts 55 If the insulating member is left in the position in which it is shown in Figure '7 the cooling effect is correspondingly increased. But under normal circumstances it will be set substantially higher, the position of Figure 6 being a representative position.

With reference to Figure 8, I illustrate a variant form in which the insulating member D may be moved up or down, in response. to variations in temperature of the storage space. It will be uns derstood that the showing of Figure 8 is to be taken as diagrammatic or representative rather than as illustrating a commercial structure I illustrate for example an adjusting sleeve {E3 slidable on the evaporator support 18 4. The sleeve :33 is upwardly thrust by the spring [95 against the limit member I65 which is slidable upon the upper portion It? of the support. The insulating member Dis supported by a detent and supporting element H38 substantially identical with that shown at 50, 5! and 52 in Figure 6. The position of the member IDS is controlled by a lever Therefrigerant, now'largely or substantially I09 pivoted intermediate, its. endsras at. Ii l, 01, 9, suitable supportingJug-I I; Ii. One; end of the-lever I09 is provided with pins H2 extending. into a circumferentialgroove. portion. H in the mem-. ber Hi5. Theother endmay beslottecl. as at H4 to receivea pin Hion the piston shafiti Hfiwhich extends through the piston head, Li]; and sup.- ports a piston H8 within the cylinder H9. to which thelpiston head. H1 issecured. Positioned within the cylinder H9 is any. suitable expans sibl'e liquid. r20. which expands or contracts in re:- sponse to. changesin temperature. Itwill be understood in the structure as shown, that as the temperature in the storage space drops, the liq! uid i221 contracts-and the piston 58; may move toward the lower end of the cylinder H9. This permits. the limit member I06 to rise, in response to the. thrust of the spring IE5, and the result is a liftingv of theinsulating member D, which reduces the amount of heat absorbed by the evaporator structure from the upper storage space. Similarly, arise. in temperature expands the liquid l 20 and causes the lever N19. to move the limit memher We, downwardly against the. compression of I the spring I05, with a consequent lowering of the insulating member D, and" an increase in the coolingefiect. As. a, matter of convenience the cylinder l9 may be secured to the inner side wall [2stof the upper part of the storage chamber.

It; will. be understood that a variety of heat responsive actuating means may be employed iQlYthe member Hi6, andthe lever transmission is indi a d: som wha d a ammatically as. illuse ra ins a. y i a meanszf r varyin the-p t on of t e, adjustin member 16. in ponse, to varit om in the empera e ofthe. stora e space of the pp r: al o the. refrigerator.

It w ll b r alize that. wher as, I ave descri ed; and. illustrat d? a. p i al. and p rativ evice, neverth le s-many han es ma e made n the size. shape. number and disp s ti n of parts without: departing from the. spirit of my invent-ion. I- therefore wish my description and drawin s to; betal: as, a broad sense illustrative r diag am ati r h r than as imitin etomv pr cis show n The use and;v operation of the invention are as i llowsfi I- use. the movable insulating member D, en- Qompassi s a c d el men B; o at d. a the top of a refrigerator. By: adjusting the position-of the encompassing insulating member D, the. temperature of; the space being cooled can be varied because of; the fact that the cold element A, B suspended the very top- Of the reifrig erator may be variably exposed by the element. D. The cooleda-ir spills into or fillsthe insulated member D, and-flows over its edge to the space being cooled; Any change in the level of; thetop edge ot the cup I) causesit to encompassrnore or less; at the cold element A-.-B with a esultant; rop or ise n. empera u e in e space being cooled. This diiters iromthe present appar tus used i bos h l re i ratorsbecause. in o de -to ad ust hat. t te n th present househ ld r i iee a or. t s n essarr to control the extol-ingot the. refrigerating machine. hat is to. sa to ma hesterage s ce c de it is necessa y to. have the machine. run. lon er and, malgethe. evaporator colder. W 1th the h erein described apparatus i-trnaybe seen that if the user wishes-w ere he. c ld: lem nt much col r. p rhaps. for the pu po e o eezin i e cube trays rapidly, he can; avoid. freezin he pace being cooled by raising the upper rim of the 'cup member. The change in'storage temperature is obtained by changing the position of the cup member D.

It will be understood, from the description I have made of the new device, that I gain a tremendous advantage by being able to have the cold element A, B, in the upper portion of a refrigerator much colder than would be possible without the encompassing cup member D, and the important result is that because I make the cold member colder without freezing the upper part of the refrigerator or the space where the food is being stored, I can therefore freeze ice cubes much faster without freezing food in the upper portion of the refrigerator.

I claim:

1. In a refrigerating apparatus, an insulating housing surrounding a storage space, an evaporator positioned in said storage space, means for circulating a volatile refrigerant through said evaporator, an open topped container adapted to surround the sides and bottom of said evaporator and means for guiding it for movement upwardly and downwardly about said evaporator,

said container being adapted to maintain a pool of cold air about said evaporator, whereby frosting of the portion of the evaporator positioned in said pool of cold air is substantially prevented and yielding means tending normally to urge said container toward a predetermined upper position.

2. In a refrigerating apparatus, an insulating housing surrounding a storage space, an evaporator positioned in said storage space, means for circulating a volatile refrigerant through said evaporator, an open topped container adapted to surround the sides and bottom of said evaporator and means for guiding it for movement upwardly and downwardly about said evaporator, said container being adapted to maintain a pool of cold air about said evaporator, whereby frosting of the portion of the evaporator positioned in said pool of cold air is substantially prevented and yielding means tending normally to urge said container toward a predetermined upper position and adjustable abutment means adapted to limit the upward movement of said container.

3. In a refrigerating apparatus, an insulated housing enclosing a storage space, an evaporator located within the storage space, means for circulating a volatile refrigerant through the evaporator, an insulating cover closely envelop ing the evaporator to positively limit the area of evaporator surface exposed to heat exchange relationship with the storage space, and means for displacing said cover to vary the area of such exposed evaporator surface whereby the heat exchange relationship is varied.

4. In a refrigerating apparatus, an insulated housing enclosing a storage space, an evaporator located within the storage space, means for circulating a volatile refrigerant through the evaporator, an insulating cover closely enveloping the evaporator to positively limit the area of evaporator surface exposed to heat exchange relationship with the storage space, and thermostatically controlled means for displacing said cover to vary the area of such exposed evaporator surface whereby the heat exchange relationship is varied in consonance with variation in the temperature within the storage space.

5. In a refrigerating apparatus, an insulated housing, closed at the top, enclosing a storage space, an evaporator located in the upper portion of the storage space below the top of the housing, means for circulating a volatile refrigerant through the evaporator, a combined insulator and drip cup, and means for holding said cup in position to closely mask the bottom and side walls of the evaporator, the evaporator being thus exposed in heat exchange relationship with the storage space at its top surface only, and means for lowering the cup to increase the area of exposed evaporator surface.

a 6. In a refrigerating apparatus, an insulated housing, closed at the top, enclosing a storage space, an evaporator located in the upper portion Of the storage space below the top of the housing, means for circulating a volatile refrigerant through the evaporator, a combined insulator and drip cup, and means for holding said cup in position to closely mask the bottom and side walls of the evaporator, the evaporator being thus exposed in heat exchange relationship with the storage space at its top surface only, supporting means for the cup adapted to hold the cup selectively in raised position to partly enclose the evaporator to the storage space, yielding means whereby the cup may be removably detached from the supporting means for withdrawal from the storage space.

'7. In a refrigerating apparatus, an insulated housing, closed at the top, enclosing a storage space, an evaporator located in the upper portion of the storage space below the top of the housing, means for circulating a volatile refrigerant through the evaporator, a combined insulator and drip cup, yielding means for holding said cup in position to closely mask the bottom and side walls of the evaporator, stop means adapted to be set to hold the cup in lower position to unmask the sides of the evaporator and thereby expose a larger area of evaporator surface to heat exchange relationship with the storage space.

8. In a refrigerating apparatus, an insulated housing, closed at the top, enclosing a storage space, an evaporator located in the upper portion Of the storage space below the top of the housing, means for circulating a volatile refrigerant through the evaporator, a combined insulator and drip cup,- yielding means for holding said cup in position to closely mask the bottom and side walls of the evaporator, stop means adapted to be set to hold the cup in lower position to unmask the sides of the evaporator and thereby expose a larger area of evaporator surface to heat exchange relationship with the storage space, the evaporator including two parallel cold plates, an ice tray removably positioned between them, the cup, when in the upper position, completely masking the tray.

WILLARD L, MORRISON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,840, 35 Starr Jan. 12, 1932 1,899,852 Chadwick Feb, 28, 1933 2,006,046 I-Iuckestein June 25, 1935 2,024,031 Edwards Dec. 10, 1935 2,196,527 I-Iainsworth Apr. 9, 1940 2,205,36 Philipp June 18, 1940 2,346,287 Borgerd Apr. 11, 1944 2,400,168 Roach May 14, 1946 

